This article provides an overview of the permissible activities as a standard visitor in India.

India

Business visa

Indian business visas (whether consular-processed or electronic) are usually granted to individuals who wish to establish, or explore the possibility of establishing, an industrial or business venture in India, or wish to purchase or sell industrial products in India. It is not granted to an individual who wishes to come to India in connection with money-lending or petty trading, or to undertake full-time employment in India.

The basic difference between a business visa and an employment visa is that a foreign national cannot be working for and receiving an income with an Indian entity, as is the case with an employment visa where the individual is considered to be an employee of the Indian entity.

If a business trip, however brief, will involve activities other than those indicated below, an employment visa will typically be required. Additionally, there may be differences between activities permitted by law and those allowed in practice at the discretion of visa officers.

Set out below is representative list of situations in which applicants may be granted a business visa (consular-processed and electronic). They are for foreign nationals:

• who wish to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore the setting up of an industrial/business venture in India;

• coming to India to purchase/sell industrial products, commercial products or consumer durables;

• coming to India for technical meetings/discussions, attending board meetings or general meetings for providing business services support;

• coming to India for recruitment of manpower;

• who are partners in the business and/or functioning as directors of the company;

• coming to India for consultations regarding exhibitions or for participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business fairs and so on;

• who are buyers, who come to transact business with suppliers/potential suppliers at locations in India, to evaluate or monitor quality, give specifications, place orders, negotiate further supplies and so on, relating to goods or services procured from India;

• who are experts/specialists on a short visit in connection with an ongoing project with the objective of monitoring the progress of the work, conducting meetings with Indian customers and/or to provide technical guidance;

• coming to India for pre-sale or post-sale activity not amounting to actual execution of any contract or project;

• who are trainees of multinational companies/corporate houses coming for in-house training in the regional hubs of the concerned company located in India;

• coming as tour conductors and travel agents and/or conducting business tours of foreigners or business relating to it;

• who are academics/experts coming under the Global Initiative for Academic Networks;

• who are crew members of scheduled/non-scheduled flights operated by scheduled airlines, non-scheduled and chartered flights operated by non-scheduled airlines and special flights;

• intending to visit India to participate in cultural events/activities with remuneration; and

• who are engaged in commercial sports events in India, such as the Indian Premier League and Indian Super League, on contract with remuneration (including coaches). Such individuals may be granted a B-sports Visa with a multiple entry facility for the appropriate period and shall comply with all statutory obligations, such as payment of taxes.